Patrick Reed Willing to End Rory McIlroy Feud Using Bizarre Measure Years After ‘Tee-Gate’

The Tee Gate incident sparked a lot of drama between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed during the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The two pros weren’t the biggest fans of each other as they faced off for the title at the Emirates Golf Club. However, Reed is looking to clear the air three years after the incident occurred.

Reed, now back at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where McIlroy is also competing, said, “It was hilarious. I guess I need to grab a handful (of tees) and break the ice. Go up to him like that, and maybe he needs to throw one at me.”

Back in 2023, Reed approached McIlroy for a handshake at the range. However, the Northern Irishman refused the gesture. He was furious because of the subpoena he received from the American pro’s lawyer, Larry Klayman, in December 2022. In retaliation, the 2018 Masters champion threw a tee in McIlroy’s general direction. The matter didn’t end there.

“If you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one,” Patrick Reed said at that time. McIlroy refused to budge. He said there was no reason for him to acknowledge Reed’s presence. Instead, the Ulsterman said if roles were reversed, Reed would’ve sued him.

“I didn’t see a tee coming my direction at all, but apparently that’s what happened. And if roles were reversed and I’d have of (sic!) thrown that tee at him, I’d be expecting him [to file] a lawsuit,” McIlroy said of the incident at that time. There was a larger issue as well.

The subpoena from Klayman was not addressed specifically to Rory McIlroy. Reed’s lawyer had filed a defamation lawsuit against the PGA Tour for colluding with the DP World Tour to prevent players from switching to LIV Golf.  McIlroy was subpoenaed because of that. Speaking of the lawsuit, the judge granted the PGA Tour’s motion to dismiss the claims made by Klayman in late 2024.

McIlroy and Reed’s relationship wasn’t particularly good in 2023. It was also at the peak of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour turf war. McIlroy was blasting the Saudi-backed league almost every other week. At the Dubai Desert Classic, he had the last laugh by edging Reed by one shot. However, the terms between the two stars are quite different this year.

Interestingly, they have also switched places on the leaderboard. Reed is leading the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 after three rounds, while McIlroy is way off the lead.

Notably, there might be a few more reasons their dynamic might change now.

Patrick Reed’s recent statement might have changed Rory McIlroy’s opinion of him

After Brooks Koepka‘s reinstatement to the PGA Tour was confirmed, Rory McIlroy was one of the first ones to welcome him back. That came as a surprise considering the rivalry they shared in the past.

Reed also had an interesting reaction to the former Smash GC captain’s PGA Tour return. Unlike some of his peers, Reed was open to the idea of making a similar move. However, the only stipulation he had was to continue to be a part of LIV Golf.

The 4Aces GC player said, “If it’s up to me, I’d play everywhere. I’m already playing on three tours [LIV, the DP World Tour, and the Asian Tour], so why not add one more? I always enjoyed my time out there on the PGA Tour. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s the best tour in the world. Look at what they’ve done in golf. You know, I could see myself playing there at some point again.”

Reed’s positive reflection of his time with the PGA Tour might have pleased McIlroy. But that’s not the only time their opinions have aligned. Like McIlroy, the American pro also disagreed with Jon Rahm and held the belief that the LIV Golf pros should pay the fines to play in the DP World Tour.

“I mean, if it happens [that I’m] having to pay fines to play out here, so be it. I’m not going to allow that to deter me from showing support and playing on this tour. I’ve done it since I won the [2014] WGC [Cadillac event at Doral] and I don’t plan on stopping,” the former major champ said.

Considering how often they share the same views, it would come as a surprise if Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed don’t make up.